Buying a new-build property while serving in the armed forces isn't the 'chain-free doddle' that site agents often pitch. While you don't have a seller moving out on the same day, you have a rigid developer deadline on one side and the MOD’s administrative timeline on the other. In 2026, the success of these transactions hinges on the precise alignment of the Forces Help To Buy (FHTB) drawdown with the developer’s 28-day exchange expectation.